It was a special day for the IMDEA Materials Institute as our Scientific Director, Prof. Javier LLorca, received the Miguel Catalán Research Award from the Community of Madrid.

The award was presented by the President of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, and the Regional Minister for Education, Science and Universities, Emilio Viciana Duro, during a ceremony held at the Real Casa de Correos in Madrid.

Prof. Llorca was recognised for his long scientific career and for being a pioneer in the design of materials using computational tools and high-precision simulations.

He took the opportunity to highlight the value that scientific research brings to society and dedicated the award to his family and to his colleagues at the IMDEA Materials Institute and at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, where he is a full professor.

“Logically, the first people you have to dedicate any award to are always your family, my parents and my brother, who have always supported me,” said Prof. LLorca.

“But I also have to dedicate it to the people I have worked with at UPM and to the scientists I have worked with at the IMDEA Materials Institute.

“Because they are the ones who have truly enabled me to get here.”

Prof. Llorca was accompanied at the ceremony by several researchers and members of the administration team from the IMDEA Materials Institute, including our Director, Prof. Jon Molina; our Deputy Director, Dr. Damien Tourret; and our Manager, Dr. Covadonga Rosado.